Book of TrumpAJ Robinson

I should like to start this sermon with a quote from the Book of Trump, Chapter 66, verse 6. “Suffer little children, forbid them.” That’s it, that’s the full verse.

• Trumpian Bible.

Yeah, I know, for those of you versed in the real Bible, you know that there’s more to it than that, but not anymore in the America of Donald J Trump. Most tragically, not in the world his minions live. America is slipping, slow but surely, down a dark, dismal and dangerous rabbit hole.

That is truly the saddest part of all. I recently saw the picture of the man and his little two-year-old daughter drowned in the Rio Grande. Fleeing persecution and death, they sought asylum in our once-great nation and died within sight of it. Now that, in and of itself, is sadly not new, but it’s still heart rendering.

What is new is the attitude of Americans. I’ve seen on-line postings, on various websites and social media, which break my heart. Too many posters blame the victims; blame the father for not staying in his own country, for not following the legal means of immigration or for taking such a chance, tethered to his daughter.

Now, okay, yes, I agree that people should obey the law, act in the right way, not try to sneak into our country and consider others. However, try to remember the circumstances many or most of the migrants faced at home. There is a total breakdown of the local and national governments, roaming gangs that rape and kill, no work, poverty, starvation and little or no hope.

If Americans were involved in such a crisis, would we not try to find a place of safety? Furthermore, remember that, under current federal law, it is legal for people to come here, by any means and ask for asylum. It’s the law.

Now, if we want to debate that law, make changes or implement other means of dealing with refugees that’s fine. It’s a welcome discussion; we need to address immigration policies. Until then, we must strive to live up to our highest ideals, as the presumptively great nation.

America is a nation of immigrants. It’s also a Christian nation. If we wish to live up to that model, we need to familiarize ourselves with Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

• For the non-religious.

I like the words of a true president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. He said, “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”

If we want to adhere to the Unholy Book of Trump, then it’s fine to let babies die on our borders. I find that idea abhorrent and I’m not a Christian. No, I am merely spiritual and there’s a difference.

When you’re religious, you tend to do what the leaders of your church order, even if you what is right is not what they order. When you’re spiritual, you’re supposed to do what’s right and not what you personally want to do. So, let’s make a decision on this issue, people.

Sadly, I know what’s going to happen. People will protest, but nothing will come of it. Trump and the Republicans will stay in power because, again, for reasons I can’t fathom, people vote for them.

The Trump Christians will loudly proclaim themselves holy. They’ll proclaim the nation Christian, caring and forgiving. Yet, more babies will die both coming here and in our detention camps.

Blame will fall on the democrats and immigrants, of course. When the day finally comes that Trump leaves office, his Christian followers will speak with reverence and praise regarding what a good and righteous man is he. He was such great a president.

• The saddest part.

What I find truly saddest of all is that I don’t know what history will say of him, our country and this vile black mark on all of us. I do wonder, though, when the Trump minions stand before the Old Master, how will they answer for their actions? Maybe they’ll talk about the fake media and try to use alternative facts. Do you think it’ll work?

Combining the gimlet-eye, of Philip Roth, with the precisive mind of Lionel Trilling, AJ Robinson writes about what goes bump in the mind, of 21st century adults. Raised in Boston, with summers on Martha's Vineyard, AJ now lives in Florida. Most of the time he writes, but sometimes he works at Disney World to renew his fantasies and get a few dollars more. AJ writes, with insight and passion, about his family and his dog. His liberal, note the small "l," sensibilities often lead to bouts of righteous indignation, well focused and true.